Concern grows over rising attacks on temples in Hyderabad

Trigger questions about underlying reasons for surge, particularly after a decade of peace during BRS regime

Hyderabad: The disturbing surge in attacks on religious places, especially temples in the past month or so in Hyderabad and suburbs has sparked concerns among people about safety and security. A concerning trend has emerged particularly in Shamshabad, where desecration and attacks on temples have happened frequently, adding to the growing list of such incidents across the city. The attacks on religious places have not only raised concerns about personal safety but also have triggered questions about the underlying reasons for this sudden surge, particularly after a decade of relative peace during the BRS regime.

The series of attacks began with the desecration of Bhoolaxmi temple at Santoshnagar that led to day long protests in the sensitive pockets of old city. Soon, another incident of vandalism at Durga Pandal, Numaish Grounds took place during Dasara festival. Police swung into action and arrested one Krishna Goud, an alleged ganja addict and a native of Maharashtra and another individual Junaid for the Santoshnagar incident. The police cited that both the individuals were struggling with mental health issues.

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However, a major incident occurred in Secunderabad, where the Muthyalamma Temple was vandalised, leading to widespread protests and tense situation. The police had to deploy heavy security and use force to control the crowds. Trouble continued for at least one week with the police converting it into a heavily guarded fortress. The incident brought the city on to the edge of a communal conflict with a bandh observed in Secunderabad the next day of the incident.

One person Salim Salman Thakur, a Mumbai native was arrested by the police in the temple vandalism case while in another case, the owners of Metropolis Hotel where Salim was staying were booked for certain violations.

Bigger conspiracy

Vishwa Hindu Parishad, State chapter, spokesperson P Balaswamy believes that there is a bigger conspiracy behind the attacks. “The police after every incident are claiming some insane person or thieves had damaged the temple idols. Such incidents were not reported frequently in the past and how come all of a sudden there is a rise in such instances? A Special Investigation Team should be constituted to conduct an impartial probe,” he demanded.

While the frequency of attacks in the city has decreased due to increased police presence, the incidents now have shifted to the suburbs. In Shamshabad, three temples at Airport Colony, Siddhanti village and Jokul village were targeted within a week, with the police arresting three suspects identified as Kripal, Kishore and Salim Arman. “In all the three cases we have arrested the persons and remanded them. There is no specific motive, except Salim Arman, who is a professional thief. The other two are mentally unstable,” DCP Shamshabad B Rajesh said. While the police did not attach any specific motive behind the attacks and termed the incidents isolated, Hindu organisations are alleging the police are hiding the facts and trying to hush-up the cases.

On Monday, rumours of desecration of temples at Attapur, Mangalhat and Gachibowli kept the pot boiling. City-based social activist and executive director of Confederation of Voluntary Organisations (COVA), Mazher Hussain said in the last 12 years such incidents were unheard of. “For the last two months, such communal incidents are being reported. The police should study the modus operandi and investigate thoroughly. Merely, labeling the people as insane and closing the case will not prevent such incidents. It will only embolden the persons who are behind such incidents,” he said.